Magic at Sea: The Cruise

Industry

Objectives
At the end of the discussion, students will be
able to:

Determine why people do or dont do on cruises;

Describe different types of cruise lines and ships;
Reveal what a cruise experience like; and
Explain how cruises are priced and sold.

WHY PEOPLE CRUISE?

Getting away from it all

Luxury and service
Interesting destinations
You can do it all
You can also do nothing
Something for everybody
A learning experience

WHY PEOPLE CRUISE?

A friendly experience
A romantic experience
A safe experience
A trendy experience
A no-hassle vacation
A prepackaged vacation
A vacation value

KINDS OF CRUISE LINES

AND SHIPS
Mass-market Cruise Lines
Cruise companies such as Carnival, Norwegian, and
Royal Caribbean offer value-priced itineraries and
operate large, sometimes huge vessels that
accommodate anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000
passengers.
Most of these ships feature multiple dining
facilities, a swimming pool or two, a casino, a
large showroom, and exercise facility and spa,
shops, a small medical facility, a reception area
and cabin.

KINDS OF CRUISE LINES

AND SHIPS
Premium Lines
Example: Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity)
Offer more lavish ships and experiences, selling to
more moneyed consumers,
They still may be considered mass-market because
they attract almost as many passengers as do the
less expensive companies and operates ships almost
as large.

KINDS OF CRUISE LINES

AND SHIPS
Specialty cruise companies focus on
narrower segments of consumers:
Luxury Cruise Lines
Education and Adventure Cruise Lines
Masted Sailing Ships
Riverboats

KINDS OF CRUISE LINES

AND SHIPS
Miscellaneous
Also carry cargo and serve as transportation
for locals.
Huge ferry ships transport people overnight.

THE SHIP EXPERIENCE

Before You Sail

Bon Voyage
At-Sea Days
In-Port Days
The End of the Cruise

WHO OWNS CRUISE LINES?

The issue of cruise line ownership is a complex one.
Several large companies own most of the two dozen
major cruise lines.
Also, a cruise line may be headquartered in the United
States but have its ships registered in another country
such as Panama, the Bahamas, or Liberia.
The reason: it frees the companies from the hiring, work
hour, and other regulations that would be enforced if they
were registered in the United States. This called a flag
of convenience arrangement.

WHAT CRUISES COST?

Primarily, prices are based on the type of
stateroom requested, and, in general:
The higher the deck the stateroom is located on,
the greater the cruise price will be.
Outside staterooms cost more than inside
staterooms. Outside staterooms with obstructed
views are less expensive than those with a clear
view.
An outside stateroom with a verandah costs
more than an oceanview room.

WHAT CRUISES COST?

Larger staterooms are typically priced higher
than smaller ones.
Suites cost more than regular staterooms.
Extra amenities are usually included.
Passengers can often lower the price of a
cruise by booking six to nine months in
advance.
If a ship isnt fully booked, the cruise line may
offer a last-minute sale.

WHAT CRUISES COST?

Because stateroom are based on double
occupancy, the fare of a third or fourth guest
in the room is usually discounted.
Cruise lines price itineraries on seasonal
demand.
Traveling on repositioning cruise.

PRE-, POST-, AND OFF-SHIP

EXPERIENCE
Port experiences can be divided into three
categories: precruise, intermediary ports stops,
and postcruise.
When a ship arrives in port, passengers have for
options:

They may elect to stay onboard.

They can explore the port on their own.
They may buy a tour or activity from a vendor.
They may go on a shore excursion that they purchased
from the line before the cruise or onboard the ship.

HOW CRUISES ARE SOLD?

Travel agents are responsible for about
80percent of cruise bookings.
Tour companies offer cruises through
their brochures, mailings, and websites.
Cruise consolidators
Cruise lines sell their product directly to
consumers, through websites or toll-free
number.

TERMS
Berth
A bed on a ship. Also, the
place where a ship docks.

Bow
The front of the ship.

Deck
A floor of a ship.

Port
A place a ship visits. Also,
when facing forward on the
ship, the left-hand ship.

Stabilizer
An underwater device
that helps reduce a
ships motion.

Starboard
When facing forward,
the right hand side of
the ship.

Stern
The back of a ship.

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS
The Caribbean is the worlds most popular
place to cruise.
Small boats, called tenders, transport
passengers to and from shore if the ship is
too large or the port is too shallow for
docking directly at the pier.
In exotic places like Antartica, passengers
might board a large inflatable rubber boat
called zodiac.

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS
On most ships, smoking is limited to
certain designated spaces.
Many cruises feature themed sailing, such
as jazz, or baseball.